title: [Assessment of vulnerable plaque and vulnerable patient by optical coherence tomography].
abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an intravascular imaging modality, which provides high resolution images up to 10-20 microm. This feature of OCT allows the visualization of specific components of the atherosclerotic plaques in vivo, similar to the histological examinations in vitro. OCT has made a great contribution to the investigation of the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in vivo. Furthermore, OCT has a potential not only to detect vulnerable plaques but also to identify vulnerable patients, and may enable us to predict and prevent ACS in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wakayama Medical University.
authors.forename: Yasutsugu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiono
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komukai
authors.forename: Hironori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitabata
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akasaka
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence